The Economic Impact of Climate Change on the Agricultural System in Fiji

Climate change is one of the most crucial challenges identified in this century for the Pacific Region, such as Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and many more. Citizens of Fiji have gone through peculiarly climatic and weather conditions over the past years like globalization, which had led to many consequences, especially in the agricultural sector which is the main income of many livelihoods not only in Fiji but in other Pacific countries as well. Climatic conditions have been changing adversely from past decades, such as temperature, rise in the sea level, precipitation changes, atmospheric composition changes, flooding, and tropical cyclones. These changes have led to alterations in the environment, thus, affecting crop and livestock production in the agricultural system. For instance, crops that require specific soil and temperature situations are vastly influenced when the temperature level changes suddenly, making the crops vulnerable to adapt to the alterations and therefore, the crops eventually die. Likewise, animal species also get affected by temperature changes, such as heat stress which specifically affects the fertility of male and female livestock. Due to these events, Fiji’s economies have also been affected since agriculture plays a vital role in boosting our economy through local market sales and exporting. Thereby, this review illustrates the impacts of climate change and ways to move forward/ solutions, for example, FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) and Pacific Islands Climate Change Assistance Program (PICCAP) have supported Fiji in bringing adaptation programs for preparing farmers and all other individuals on the upcoming climatic conditions such as adapting tolerant crops that can handle droughts and other adverse weather conditions.

How knowledge acquisition creates a competitive edge? A qualitative inquiry from international consultancy alliance

PurposeThe current study attempts to bridge the existing gap related to the role of knowledge acquisition from international alliance partners to improve competitiveness by examining the distinct processes of knowledge acquisition and the challenges confronted in this learning process in order to enhance local and international market performance.Design/methodology/approachFollowing case-study approach based on systematic combining, the study presents a case of knowledge acquisition and learning in the context of an international consultancy alliance between leading Pakistani and Chinese engineering firms using six in-depth interviews of key engineers to explore the dynamic mechanisms for knowledge acquisition and learning from the Chinese firm. Grounded analysis drawn upon the Straussian version of grounded theory (GT) {{Strauss, 1990 #136} Strauss, 1998 #139} is used for data analysis in this research.FindingsIt was found that the processes of explicit and implicit knowledge acquisition from Chinese firms are integrated consultancy working, social and technical adaptability and seeking confirmation about the work done and knowledge/theories and models used in work. However, these processes are quite complex, posing serious challenges for National Engineering Services, Pakistan to acquire the required knowledge, which can be addressed through partners' motivation to share and acquire knowledge, cultural intelligence and friendship and informal association. The study also found that the knowledge acquired from technologically advanced international organizations by the host partner in the international strategic alliance not only provides a competitive edge to the local host in its local market but also builds its capacity to undertake similar projects in other parts of the world, substantially enhancing its market success.Originality/valueAdding up to the current literature that focuses on knowledge acquisition in a parent-subsidiary relationship, the current research proposes a framework for knowledge acquisition in the unique context of international strategic alliances. The research provides managerial guidelines to manage knowledge acquisition for gaining a competitive edge that would be helpful for the managers in the era of growing interdependence among the organizations across the borders.

The uneven geography of real estate investment by Mainland Chinese state-owned and private enterprises in the U.S.: Local market conditions, migration, and ethnic networks

Since the 2010s, foreign direct investment in real estate (FDIRE) by Mainland Chinese firms has emerged as a major force within global real estate markets, challenging Western investors’ traditional dominance. It is unclear, however, whether Mainland Chinese FDIRE is fueled by the same motivations as those of investors from advanced economies, which to date have represented both the primary investors and main objects of study. One major difference may be that Mainland Chinese investment originates in an institutional environment comprised of strong state intervention and social networks important for fostering business and ethnic ties. To uncover the potentially unique determinants and heterogeneity of Mainland Chinese corporate real estate investors, we build and analyze a state-level panel dataset of Mainland Chinese FDIRE by state-owned enterprises and private enterprises in the U.S. from 2010 to 2017. Our empirical results reveal the importance of Chinese migrants in promoting Mainland Chinese real estate investment, especially by private enterprises. Our findings also demonstrate that at the state level, Mainland Chinese FDIRE exhibits few agglomerative tendencies.

Assessment of Some Toxic Metals in Ziziphora (Ziziphora persica) Obtained from Local Market in Lahijan, Northern Iran

: Heavy metals cause significant issues when people are exposed to many specific types of them. They can cause many disorders and affect the biochemical pathways in the body. Herbs are known as one of the richest sources of modern patented drugs, particularly in Iranian references. Many metals, particularly heavy metals, are toxic. Various studies have shown a higher level of heavy metals than standards in some countries like Iran, Pakistan, Egypt, and Nigeria. A preliminary study was conducted to determine some toxic elements in powdered Ziziphora (Ziziphora persica) collected from the local market in Lahijan city, northern Iran. Twenty random samples were gathered from various markets, and a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS) was used to detect some featured toxic elements, including copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and mercury (Hg). The results showed higher Pb, Cd, and Hg levels than standards. Besides, Cu and Zn were detected to be lower than standards.

CULTURAL DISTORTION AND HARMONISATION ON INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS: THE PANACEA FOR SUCCESS

The purpose of this paper was to study and unravel the implications of cultural distortion on businesses, gains and gradual harmonization of culture across national boundaries globally. Despite the national and political boundaries around the world, the activities involving cross-border operations have always persisted, but have had a dramatic growth since the Second World War. Successful business operations globally depend largely on the understanding of the cultural differences of countries which enormously have the tendencies of affecting the degree of business relationship. It is very obvious that every institution across nations of the world is deeply attached to societies with diverse cultures such as language difference, different tradition of trust, individualists and collectivists tendencies which globalization concept intends to harmonise and be accepted by the local market around the world. As a consequence, it is very imperative to strive for gradual harmonization of culture. This however implies making suitable changes on the differences among national norms, traditions, values, beliefs and rituals of different nations in order to achieve uniformity. KEY WORDS: Culture, Cultural Distortion, Cultural Harmonization, Globalization

Comparative chemical profiling and antimicrobial activity of Nigella sativa seeds oils obtained from different sources

<i>Nigella sativa</i> L. seeds are widely used in Sudan as a spice, food preservative, and medicine. Sudan does not grow the plant. The study aimed to compare the chemical profile and antibacterial activity of fixed and essential oils of <i>N. sativa</i> from Ethiopian and Indian seeds and the oil offered by Attarin in the local market. A Soxhlet device extracted fixed oils and hydrodistillation to obtain essential oils and analysed their oil profile using GC-MS. Disk diffusion was used to test antimicrobial activity. The fixed oil of Ethiopian (EFO) and Indian (IFO) seeds contained ten components, with linoleic acid (50.12% in EFO and 57.69% in IFO) being the most abundant. Ethiopian seeds were used to extract the essential oil. 51.96% of the oil was hydrogenated monoterpenes. The main chemicals were p-cymene (36.76%) and thymoquinone (18.70%). There were fixed and essential oils in the Attarin oil sample. The main component was linoleic acid (14.61%), followed by p-cymene (13.85%). The maximum antibacterial activity (MIC 6.25 µg/disc) was seen in both fixed and liquid oil samples against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The best anti-<i>P. aeruginosa</i> action was attarin oil (MIC 12.5 µg/disc). Finally, the Sudanese market needs to standardise <i>N. sativa</i> seeds and oil.

Evaluation of toxicological metal profiling in different varieties of candies from the local market of Lucknow City, India

Virtually almost everyone enjoys chocolates and candies every now and then. Usually, chocolate and candies are the most craved food among children and pregnant women. This craving kicks high during the phase of stress, anxiousness, hormonal changes or mood swings. As children and pregnant women are the most sensitive groups of human population, the presence of any kind of toxicants in their food products can raise serious health concerns. In view of this, an approach has been made to estimate the quantity of nine metals in three different variety of commonly available candies (67 samples) i.e., cocoa-chocolate based, milk based, and fruit flavored candies. Few metals were found at relatively high level in cocoa-chocolate based candies followed by milk based and fruit flavored candies. The findings of this study enlightens the international food safety and public health protection authorities to implement strict permissible limits for the presence of metals in candies. The statistical approach of m­­­ultiple discriminant analysis was also performed in this study to reverse identify the candy groups based on their inter-comparative profiling of multi-elemental contamination among similar type of candy samples which points towards stipulating stringent quality policies and establishing strict standards for manufacturing, processing, storage and transportation of candies and their raw materials.

Financiamento de Longo Prazo: Explorando o Avanço Recente do Mercado de Debêntures Brasileiro

ABSTRACT Context: in Brazil, there was an expansion of private funding via bond issuances, especially since 2017. Before that period, the sources of long-term financing were concentrated on public funding. Objective: this study aims to explore the main factors that could have positively affect Brazilian bond market and if it would be possible to improve project financing through this debt instruments. Methods: using mixed methods with econometric tests and qualitative interview analysis, this study assesses which were the factors that supported this growth and if there is any difference across industries. Results: we found that a change in the market trend has indeed happened around 2017, and it was more pronounced in specific industries such as electricity. Interviewees suggested that increases in demand (possibly triggered by the reduction of public sources of funding and the fall in local interest rates) could be the main factors that supported this change in trend. Conclusions: therefore, this study reinforces the importance of local market conditions and government policies affecting the relative attractiveness of private versus public sources of corporate investment.

Evaluation of sulfadimidine, amprolium and triquen to treat coccidiosis in wild pigeons

Coccidiosis remains one of the major problems in poultry all over the world. Very limited data on anticoccidial drugs in wild pigeons is available. The current study was aimed to understand the comparative efficacy of sulfadimidine, amprolium and triquen in wild pigeons of Dir district, Pakistan suffering from coccidiosis. The faecal matter of wild pigeons were purchased from the local market for coccidian infection. Results revealed that 88.8% (16/18) were found infected with Eimeria spp. Three positive groups were treated with sulfadimidine (0.2mg/L), amprolium (25mg/L) and triquen. Sulfadimidine was most effective (45%) followed by amprolium (44.6%) while triquen (24.0%) showed less effectiveness against coccidiosis in pigeons. Number of oocysts were 79, 81 and 80 before treatment and 60, 44 and 44 after treatment with sulfadimidine, amprolium and triquen respectively. This study showed that sulphadimidine, amprolium and triquen could not significantly reduce the coccidiosis in pigeons. Further studies are required to clear the mechanism of anti-coccidial drugs in wild pigeons.

Digital Wallet Ecosystem in Promoting Financial Inclusion

Digital wallet is expanding largely driven by the evolution of internet and smartphone penetration. Numerous digital wallet providers have risen in many countries including Brunei Darussalam. However, the level of adoption is still low, and cashless society is still far from an expected target. There's no magic formula in deploying a guaranteed successful digital wallet, but developing a digital wallet ecosystem that is tailored to the local markets will be expected to increase digital culture and cashless society. The research assesses the existing digital wallet ecosystem, then analyses the extent of compatibility of local market demand. Furthermore, it introduces an improved digital wallet ecosystem model in order to support financial inclusion achieved through a holistic digital wallet ecosystem. The chapter also examines external factors that contribute to the digital wallet ecosystem's width of usage.